The range of the scientifically necessary sample size is thus somewhere between 594 and 1617 per year If the minimum size of 594 is adopted, the research on blubber thickness, which requires 818 to 971 samples per year will be compromised Conversely, if the maximum size of 1,617 is adopted, statistically more than enough samples would be provided for all of the research items except pregnancy rate For most of the research items, the necessary sample size is something over 800 per year
As for humpback whales, the Government of Japan decided to
suspend their sampling in response to a request from the then Chair of the IWC, William Hogarth of the United States in order to contribute to the creation of a positive atmosphere for the negotiations to resolve the stalemate in the IWC